Davenport rugby program promoted to Division 1 Eastern Conference

GRAND RAPIDS -- The Midwest Rugby Union announced recently it has promoted Davenport University's program to the Division 1 Eastern Conference starting in the fall.

The unanimous vote places the DU program in the same league as Bowling Green, Indiana, Purdue, Miami of Ohio and Wisconsin next season. Ohio State and Notre Dame also are part of the D1 Eastern Conference, but will participate in the newly formed USA Rugby College Premier League.

Davenport, which competed at the D2 level last season, fell just short, 22-17, at Miami on April 3 in a showdown to clinch a promotion to D1.

Still, the Panthers are moving up.

"After some recent developments in college rugby and some divisional shuffling, the league felt it was best served to include Davenport," DU assistant coach Justin Hickey said in a news release.

As a result, the second rugby team beginning at Davenport in the fall will begin play at the D2 level. The D2 team will compete in a Michigan-based league consisting of the University of Michigan, Michigan State, Central Michigan, Western Michigan, Grand Valley State and Ferris State.